Colorado Voters Will Decide: Should One Man, One Woman Marriage Definition Be Repealed from Constitution?

This fall, Colorado voters will be asked to decide if the definition of natural marriage – between one man and one woman – should be removed from the Colorado constitution.

The definition of marriage was added to the state constitution in 2006 when 55% of the voting electorate approved Amendment 46.

In 2015, the United States Supreme Court imposed a radical new definition of marriage on all 50 states through their decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. The Court overruled the will of over 50 million voters in 31 states who voted to amend their constitutions and define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Now, “LGBT” activists want the people of Colorado to repeal the marriage amendment.

They argue it’s a useless law that should be removed from the constitution because it can’t be enforced.

Ultimately, what they fear is that the U.S. Supreme Court might revisit the same-sex marriage case because it is founded on poor legal reasoning and overrule their previous decision.

In Obergefell, conservative Justices Roberts, Thomas, Alito and Scalia all voted against forcing states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in another state, citing a conflict of religious liberty interests and the original intent of the U.S. Constitution.

In Colorado, there are two ways a constitutional amendment can be brought to the people for a vote at the ballot box. One method is citizen-led initiatives, which require signature gathering and verification. The other way is as a legislatively referred measure, which requires a two-thirds vote in the state House and state Senate.

On April 19, with only 19 days left in the legislative session, “LGBT” activist lawmakers introduced SCR24-003 to bring this issue to the voters. They passed it out of the state Senate in just ten days, and it took only six days to approve it in the House.

The resolution qualified for the ballot on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Focus on the Family gave testimony opposing the resolution and defending natural marriage at the House Judiciary Committee.

One member of the committee opened the meeting with a “shout out” for the “gayest committee room…this session.” Presumably, referencing the high number of “LGBT” members on the committee and presenting the resolution.

The co-sponsors first introduced the measure at the hearing. One sponsor is a self-proclaimed “pansexual” man who chairs the “LGBTQ” caucus. The other sponsor is the first “transgender” legislator elected in the state of Colorado.

One of the co-sponsors made a Freudian slip when he testified before the committee, “What we are seeking to do is remove – or – is to put to the voters the question should marriage be inclusive of all.”

If they could remove it themselves without voter involvement they’d probably try. “LGBT” activists are bringing this resolution forward because they are confident that the outcome of the vote this fall will be favorable to their cause.

Focus on the Family and the Colorado Catholic Conference were the only opponents to testify against the measure at the House Judiciary Committee.

Focus on the Family testified, “We believe the institution of marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to model the love of Christ for His people and to serve both the public and private good as the basic building block of human civilization.”

We also made the human case for natural marriage, noting the work of marriage and family expert Glenn Stanton.

“Marriage and family require male and female because nature demands it.

“Marriage as an exclusively heterosexual union is the statement from nature that the family needs both parts of humanity, not just for procreation, but for all of life.

“And as such, marriage transcends…culture, politics, economics, religion and law.

“[Natural] marriage, creates new families and links kin together. It is the primary human institution; both anthropologists and theologians hold this as true.”

Focus on the Family concluded its testimony, reminding lawmakers, “To deny one of the most fundamental human truths that directly creates a ‘tomorrow’ for humanity is not only dangerous for the future of this state and country but also a deconstruction of the essence of humanity itself.”

The majority of committee members voted in favor of the measure by a margin of 8-2, but not before a few of the members condemned the opposing testimony as “nastiness” and said that marriage discrimination is “anti-Christian.”

Focus on the Family urges its Colorado friends to stand in solidarity with us and defend natural marriage at the ballot box this fall.

No court or vote can change the eternal and natural truth that marriage is and always will be between a man and woman.

Praise God for the opportunity that followers of Jesus Christ have to be a witness to this generation of God’s perfect plan for the family. We know that one man, one woman marriage is essential to healthy families, communities, and, ultimately, this nation.

Image from Shutterstock.